Motor controller with automated input power determination

Abstract

A motor controller automatically determines a motor input power setting based upon manually entered motor output values. The motor controller includes an interface and an input power determining module that determines the motor input power setting from the entered motor output values. A display portion provides a visual display of the determined motor input power setting to facilitate using the determined setting to control motor operation.

1. A motor controller comprising:
 an interface for manually entering values of a motor output; 
 an input power setting determining module that automatically determines a motor input power setting based upon entered motor output values; and 
 a display portion that provides a visual display of the determined motor input power setting. 
 
     
     
       2. The motor controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said values of motor output comprise a motor rating value. 
     
     
       3. The motor controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said values of motor output comprise a motor efficiency value. 
     
     
       4. The motor controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said values of motor output comprise an external current transformer value. 
     
     
       5. The motor controller as recited in  claim 1 , including a trip module that automatically interrupts power to the motor responsive to an actual motor input power exceeding a motor input trip value that is based at least in part upon a motor output trip value. 
     
     
       6. The motor controller as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the controller automatically determines said motor input trip value based upon an entered motor output trip value. 
     
     
       7. The motor controller as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said interface selectively locks to prevent a user from changing a setting of the controller. 
     
     
       8. A machine assembly comprising:
 a motor having associated values of motor output; 
 a device driven by said motor; 
 an input power setting determining module that automatically determines a motor input power setting, using the associated motor output values; and 
 a display portion that provides a visual display of the determined motor input power setting. 
 
     
     
       9. The machine assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said values of motor output comprise a motor rating value. 
     
     
       10. The machine assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said values of motor output comprise a motor efficiency value. 
     
     
       11. The machine assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said device comprises a pump. 
     
     
       12. The machine assembly as recited in  claim 8 , including a trip module that automatically interrupts power to the motor responsive to an actual input power exceeding a motor input trip value that is based at least in part upon an entered motor output trip value. 
     
     
       13. The machine assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the controller automatically determines said motor input trip value based upon an entered motor output trip value. 
     
     
       14. The machine assembly as recited in  claim 8 , including an interface for allowing a user to manually enter the associated values. 
     
     
       15. The machine assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said interface selectively locks to prevent a user from changing a setting. 
     
     
       16. A method of determining a motor input power setting comprising the steps of:
 receiving values of a motor output including at least one of a motor rating value or a motor efficiency value; automatically determining a motor input power setting based upon the received values of motor output; and displaying the determined motor input power setting. 
 
     
     
       17. The method as recited in  claim 16 , comprising automatically determining an actual input power trip value responsive to a received motor output trip value and determining whether an actual input power corresponds to the trip value. 
     
     
       18. The motor controller of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is configured to allow a user to manually confirm use of the determined motor input power setting as displayed on the display portion. 
     
     
       19. The motor controller of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is configured to allow a user to manually change the input power setting from the determined motor input power setting displayed on the display portion. 
     
     
       20. The machine assembly of  claim 8 , comprising
 an interface configured to allow a user to manually confirm the determined motor input power setting displayed on the display portion. 
 
     
     
       21. The machine assembly of  claim 8 , comprising
 an interface configured to allow a user to manually change the determined motor input power setting displayed on the display portion. 
 
     
     
       22. A method of controlling a motor input power setting, comprising the steps of:
 manually entering a motor output value; 
 observing a displayed motor input power setting that is automatically determined based upon the manually entered motor output value; and 
 manually setting the motor input power setting responsive to observing the determined motor input power setting. 
 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , wherein the motor output value comprises at least one of a motor rating value or a motor efficiency value.